Surplus Foods Now Being Distributed
During the first week of June 1958 the Flathead Tribal Council made their first distribution of surplus commodities to the members of the tribes. Surplus commodities were issued at the Clinic building, St. Ignatius to 284 families totaling 1239 people. The quantity of commodities issued in June are as follows: 4,620 lb. flour; 1,236 lb. cheese; 3,425 lb. corn meal; 1,665 lb. dry milk; 757V£ lb. rice and 1,238 lb. butter.
Before any member of the Tribes are eligible to receive commodities they must be certified by the county welfare department of the county in which they live. County welfare departments will in all instances, determine the eligibility of all applicants for commodities, whether distribution of commodities to eligible recipients is the be made by the Board of county commissioners or an Indian Tribal Council.
A needy person or one who is eligible to receive surplus commodities shall be limited to the following groups:
(A) Recipients of public assistant grant Recipients are those authorized as eligible to receive any type of public assistance and are eligible for certification if they have facilities for the preparation of uncooked food. These persons shall have the right to apply for certification.
(B) Non recipients of public assistance grants. Persons who are not recipients of public assistance grants, but who are in need on the basis of the following monthly net income standard are eligible for certification if they have facilities for he preparation of uncooked foods. (Net
income is take-homepay.)
Family Size Family Income
1 Person $125.00 '
2 Persons 175.00
3 Persons 200.00
4 Persons 225.00
5 Persons 250.00
6 Persons 275.00
7 Persons 300.00
8 Persons 325.00
9 Persons 350.00 The available cash reserve, including
negotiable resources, may not exceed $500.00 for a single person, or $1000 for a family. Where the cash reserve is in excess of these amounts, eligibility does not exist. Cash reserve consists of cash on hand or on deposit. Stocks, bonds, or other similar assets that can be readily liquidated without loss.
All non recipients certifications shall be limited to a time period, as determined by the county welfare department, except in no case shall this period of eligibility exceed three months. The non recipient persons may be recertified at the end of each time period or each three months, if eligibility continues to exist. (Those who do not receive any type of public assistance are required to be recertified by their respective county welfare offices every ninety days.)
Needy persons unable to appear in person for commodities will designate, in writing, an authorized agent to receive their commodities for them.
Distribution of surplus commodities to members of the Flathead tribes will be either the first or second weeks of each month. Each recipient will be notified by mail in advance of the distribution dates. Commodities will not be distributed to individuals after the dates of each month that arc designated as distribution dates.
CHAR-KOOSTA
PUBLISHED BY CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBES, FLATHEAD AGENCY, MONT.
Vol. 3 — No. 8
June, 1958
Pros and Cons of Third Unit Discussed By Chairman
A victory for the Indians. A couple of years back one eastern Montana Congressman vigorously argued the Yellow-tail Dam was only worth $50,000. A year or two later, through the efforts of the three M's of Montana (Murray, Metcalf and Mansfield), the fact was confirmed that the dam site, and lands that would be flooded was worth $5,000,000 to the Crow tribe. After much deliberation between the leaders of the Crow tribe, particularly Edward Whiteman, along with attorneys, congressmen, engineers, and Government officials, a price of $5,000,000 was arrived at. Unfortunately, Presid-dent Eisenhower vetoed the price.
Last year another attempt was made by the Bureau of Reclamation to purchase the lands and the site. Of course, the brave politicians got into the negotiations and were supported by the Department of the Interior that Yellowtail dam was only worth $2,500,000, and if the Crow tribe wanted more money they could rely on the courts for their other $2,500,000. Further, an Act of Condemnation was issued in the event the Crow tribe objected to the $2,500,000 offer. The later action of the $2,500,000 offer, plus condemnation, was confirmed by Congress over the objections of the Crow tribe.
A couple of days back President Eisenhower signed the bill for $2,500,000, but thanks to U. S. Attorney of Montana, Crest Cyr, and Federal Judge William Jameson, for their action in dismissing the condemnation case effecting Indian lands. This could have applied to our Reservation, but since this has happened our neighbors, the Crow tribe, it has a bargaining point, and they can stand at ease to know that condemnation proceedings can not be crammed down their throats. Th Yellowtail Dam will probably not become a reality, unless the Crows get their price, which may be $5,000,000.
Speaking of dams and power sites, there has been much concern expressed by the members of the Flathead tribe and the officials of the Montana Power Company. Last month E. W. Morigeau and myself were witnesses at a hearing held before the Federal Power Commission on the settlement, if any, on the third generating unit at Kerr Dam. Under Federal Power Commission License No. 5, it is provided that two 77,000 horse power generating units would be installed, and that the Montana Power Company would pay rentals on all power sites that are being flooded, including tribal lands that border the south half of Flathead Lake up
The tribal Council will continue to distribute surplus commodities as long as the commodities are available.
to elevation 2893. Of course, set forth are the principle reasons the Montana Power Company feels they do not owe the Tribe any additional compensation on their motion for determination of law.
On the 3rd of November, 1951, the Montana Power Company filed an application to amend the license to add a third 56,000 KW generating unit which was installed and has been in operation since December 5th, 1954. The Federal Power Commission, by letter dated December 29th, 1951, authorized commencement of construction at the risk of the Power Company, without prejudice to consideration of the amendment by the Commission. The Tribe has claimed additional annual charges are due by reason of the construction and operation of the third unit.
It is the position of the Power Company that the annual charges in the license constitute full compensation for the use of the Indian lands within the designated project boundaries without regard to energy produced, or installed capacity, and as such, not subject to change except as provided in Section 30 (D) of the license. The annual charges payable under this license may be readjusted at the end of 20 years after the beginning of operation under this license, and at periods of not less than 10 years thereafter, by mutual agreement between the Federal Power Commission and the licensee, with the approval of the Secretary of the Interior.
It should be noted that the schedule of annual charges in both the original license and the amended license provide for the same amount of payments over the term set forth, the only difference being that the amended license provides for a revised schedule of payments which included those payments which were in default at the time of the amendment, plus interest charges at 4 percent annually on such amounts as were in default Both schedules provide for the payment of $2,929,000 to the Tribe through the year 1954, and the sum of $175,000 annually thereafter, unless the amount is changed under Section D, Article 20 of said license. There can be no question that the annual charges, as set forth in the license, are for the full use in connection with the project of the lands belonging to the Tribe within the Project boundary and in the absence of the inclusion of additional lands belonging to the tribe within the Project boundary, no change in said annual charges can be made except as authorized by the term of the license (Sub-section D, Article 30). Had the charges been based upon output or installed capacity it would have been so stated in the license. The fact that (Continued on page 2)